U.S. broadband company Charter Communications (News - Alert), Inc is set to increase Internet download and upload speeds as more devices get connected to IP networks in the nation.

The increase in speeds will come at no extra cost, according to a statement issued by the cable operator.

For the fourth time in the past three years, Charter is increasing Internet speed for its customers.

Charter's residential offering is increasing from 60 Mbps download to up to 100 Mbps download/5 Mbps upload, and has been renamed Charter Internet Ultra100.

While its Internet Express download speeds are going to increase from 12 megabits per second (Mbps) to up to 15 Mbps, and upload speeds from 1 Mbps to up to 3 Mbps, its Charter Internet Plus download speeds are being increased from 18 Mbps to up to 30 Mbps, and upload speeds are being increased from 2 Mbps to up to 4 Mbps.

Charter’s announcement comes after a recent study predicted that the number of devices connected to IP networks will be double the global population in 2015.

"The Internet is changing the way we watch TV, communicate with our friends and family, and engage in social and professional networks. When you're posting content online, we know it's important to have a fast, reliable connection, and we're committed to enabling the rapid sharing of content," said Rich DiGeronimo, Charter Senior Vice President, Product and Strategy.

"I'm usually browsing on my laptop, streaming video or uploading files to an FTP server for clients, while my wife browses on the tablet or her laptop. My daughter's data usage primarily comes from kids' shows and education apps," said Stephen Bolen, a Charter customer.

Bolen grew up in the era of one-person-at-a-time on the desktop computer, and during that time no one could use the telephone. "That's all changed with Charter Internet," he says. "My family can be together, yet doing our own things. I'm glad my daughter is growing up this way."